From acclaimed filmmaker Ric Burns, Death and the Civil War examines the many ways the staggering death tolls of the Civil War permanently altered the character of the republic, and the psyche of the American people. The work of contending with death on an unprecedented scale propelled extraordinary changes in the inner and outer life of Americans – posing challenges for which there were no ready answers when the war began – challenges that called forth remarkable and eventually heroic efforts as Americans worked to improvise new solutions, new institutions, new ways of coping with death on an unimaginable scale. Based on Drew Gilpin Faust’s groundbreaking book, This Republic of Suffering, the film was broadcast in conjunction with the 150th anniversary of Antietam, the bloodiest day in American history.

One or two awards are given annually by the Organization of American Historians in recognition of outstanding programming on television, or in documentary film, concerned with American history, the study of American history, and/or the promotion of American history. The award honors the late Erik Barnouw, Columbia University, a historian of the mass media.

"We are thrilled to be honored by the Organization of American Historians with its Eric Barnouw Award. Death and the Civil War, like most of our films, draws upon the crucial work done by historians such as Drew Gilpin Faust and David Blight. For Ric Burns's film to be recognized by America's historians is, for us, the highest acclaim," said Executive Producer Mark Samels.

The Award will be presented in San Francisco at the annual meeting of the Organization of American Historians on April 13th.